Abstract: The generation of volatiles from liquid or solid materials is enhanced and accelerated by exposure to microwave radiation. Normally the energy transfer is effected preferentially toward the liquid or solid materials over the generated gaseous volatiles. Sufficient energy is provided at a selected rate that enhances the generation of volatiles to effect removal as vapor or to produce a pressurized vapor phase. Flow-through separations from a matrix having a microwave-absorbing liquid component are conducted by exposing to microwave radiation to vaporize this component and processing the vapor either by flowing through a selective permeable membrane, or by enclosing the vapor and matrix in a confined space and flowing matrix through a selected separation medium, and recovering residual matrix. These separations are particularly useful in analysis contexts.

Abstract: The present invention includes a freeze dryer which has a housing defining a chamber. A condenser is remote from the chamber and has an interior coupled for communication with the chamber. A base supports the chamber and is configured to accommodate the chamber in a plurality of different positions relative to the base. A pump is coupled to the chamber to lower pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: This method relates to a non-draining type human waste disposal by pulse combustion drying. In the method, a pulsating combustion gas is discharged downward into a vertically cylindrical dryer from a pulse combustor disposed at the top of the dryer, and making contact the pulsating combustion gas with residue-removed human waste, digester chamber sludges or their mixtures charged therein, turning the charged matters to dried powder and steam under the dryer conditions of 120.degree.-150.degree. C., withdrawing the dried powder from the bottom of the dryer and the combustion gas containing steam from a lower side of the dryer, dust-removing the combustion gas containing steam maintained at 120.degree.-150.degree. C., deodorizing the dust-removed combustion gas, and exhausting the deodorized gas into the air. As an alternative method, the dried powder and the combustion gas containing steam are withdrawn from the bottom of the dryer, the withdrawn material maintained at 120.degree.-150.degree. C.

Abstract: A processor for processing semiconductor articles, such as integrated circuit wafers, flat panel displays, semiconductor substrates, and data disks. The processor has an interface section which receives articles in article carriers. The interface section transfers the articles from carriers into processing arrays. A conveyor having an automated arm assembly moves article arrays to and between processing stations. The processing stations are accessed from an enclosed area adjoining the interface section.

Abstract: A ventilator apparatus is disclosed for supplying air from a source of pressurized air between a dryer and a web supported by a felt extending around a roll of a single tier drying section. The apparatus includes a housing which is connected to the source of pressurized air. The housing defines a nozzle for directing a flow therethrough of a current of air. The flow is directed from the nozzle towards a diverging nip defined between the dryer and the web supported by the felt when the felt diverges away from the dryer prior to the felt extending around the roll. The arrangement is such that the flow of air compensates for an underpressure generated by the felt when diverging away from the dryer so that fluttering of the web is inhibited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaporating a coating solvent from a coating on a first substrate surface of a substrate and for minimizing the formation of mottle as the coating solvent is evaporating. A drying oven includes an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first drying zone. A plurality of drying subzones are within the first drying zone. At least two of the plurality of drying subzones employ different and controllable drying conditions. Physical barriers are not required to create the plurality of drying subzones.

Abstract: An arrangement in an apparatus for drying a fiber web, in which apparatus the fiber web (5) is dried between two tight bands (1, 2) moving in the same direction and turning around turning rolls (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). The first band (1) is heated by means of a pressure chamber (9) and the second band (2) is cooled by means of a water chamber (10). The fiber web (5) is led together with at least one felt or wire (3, 4) through a drying zone formed by the bands (1, 2) in such a way that the fiber web is in contact with the surface of the first band (1) and the felt or wire (3, 4) is between the fiber web (5) and the second band (2). The arrangement comprises means for supporting the wire or wires (3, 4) in such a way that the fiber web (5) is exposed to a compression pressure by the effect of the wire or wires (3, 4) substantially immediately upon coming into contact with the first band.

Abstract: A modular food dehydrator utilizing a heater blower assembly located on a top surface of a dehydrator module. The heater blower assembly includes a motor driven fan, a heating element and an air distribution portion for directing heated air across the support surfaces. The heater blower assembly is preferably releasably attachable to the dehydrator module. In a first embodiment, the dehydrator module has a central opening extending generally vertically through the support surfaces in fluid communication with the heater blower assembly for directing heated air radially outward across the plurality of support surfaces. The dehydrator module preferably includes outlet vents on an outer perimeter surface for exhausting the heated air. At least one outlet vent is preferably located between each of the plurality of support surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are indicated for a paper-making machine, for delivering liquid from a first level in a first space, through a line into a second space on a second, higher level, under the action of a difference in the gas pressures over the liquid in the first space and in the second space. A throttle valve in the line is controlled, to regulate the fluid flow, in such a way that the throttle valve is at least partly closed when the gas flow through the line rises, and is opened when there is little gas flow through the line. This guarantees continuous delivery of liquid, stable flow conditions prevail, and a delivery that is largely free of pulsation is achieved with a low proportion of gas (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A forced-air drying apparatus (20, 120) for an automated car wash includes at least four stages of nozzles (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d) and blowers (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d) spaced apart along the direction of vehicle travel through the apparatus, each stage having its nozzles oriented to direct air at high velocity generally downward and toward the vehicle (50). The vehicle is supported on a foraminous floor or grate (52) which is vertically spaced above a sloping foundation surface (34) such that a space (92) exists below the floor. Water which is stripped from the vehicle surfaces (75, 80) is carried downward by the downwardly moving air streams through the openings in the floor into the space below, where it is drained away by the sloping foundation surface.

Abstract: An improved apparatus, and related method of operation, is described for rapidly drying large monoliths of glass, ceramic and/or composite material, under subcritical conditions, while minimizing the risk of cracking the monolith during the drying process. The apparatus incorporates a pressure chamber for carrying the monolith to be dried, with no significant limitation on the size of the monolith relative to the size of the chamber. The monolith is initially immersed in a suitable drying solvent, and the temperature of the pressure chamber is raised to a predetermined value below the solvent's critical temperature, which raises the pressure to a predetermined value, likewise below the solvent's critical pressure. At a selected time during the drying process the pressure chamber is connected to a diffusion chamber, to draw away and condense solvent vapor.

Abstract: A veneer-pressing apparatus comprising a pressing device provided with at least three pressing bodies disposed movably from a non-pressing position where the pressing bodies are vertically spaced apart from each other to a pressing position where the pressing bodies are close to each other; endless belts each adapted to be intermittently moved in a direction opposite to that of the neighboring endless belt, thereby forming a forward transfer passage between a pair of facing surfaces of the neighboring endless belts and a backward transfer passage which is opposite in transferring direction to the forward transfer passage; and a pressing member which is capable of rendering the pressing bodies provided with the endless belt to move from a non-pressing position to a pressing position to press a veneer with a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and storing a plurality of baby bottles is provided including a housing with side faces defining an open bottom. Such housing has a top face integrally coupled to top edges of the side faces. The top face has a plurality of compartments coupled thereto which extend downwardly therefrom. Such compartments each define an open top that is flush with the top face of the housing. The compartments are adapted to allow the placement of a bottle therein. Each of the compartments have a plurality of slots formed therein for allowing the drying of the bottles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for drying a fiber web, in which apparatus the fiber web (5) is dried between two tight bands (1, 2) moving in the same direction and turning around turning rolls (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). The first band (1) is heated by means of a pressure chamber (9) and the second band (2) is cooled by means of a water chamber (10). The fiber web (5) is led together with at least one felt or wire (3, 4) through a drying zone formed by the bands (1, 2) in such a way that the fiber web is in contact with the surface of the first band (1) and the felt or wire (3, 4) is between the fiber web (5) and the cooled second band (2). The surface (11) of the first band (1) bearing against the fiber web (5) is at least partially formed in such a way that reflection from it to a specular reflection angle is reduced substantially. Excessive gloss can then be removed from the surface of the fiber web (5) and the end product to be manufactured of it.

Abstract: A combination infrared/convection dryer or oven for drying travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation. Drying efficiency is optimized by adding heated impinged air at high velocity on the machine direction ends and between the infrared elements. The air being discharged on the web is heated as it is pulled across the elements to a centralized return air duct. The return air is pulled into the inlet of a close coupled supply fan which then discharges the air to the nozzles. A portion of the air is also exhausted to atmosphere to maintain the oven enclosure in a negative pressure state, thus drawing fresh make-up air into the oven housing through the web inlet and outlet slots. Flotation nozzles can be used where contactless support of the running web is desired. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length.

Abstract: A gas dryer having a housing, an outlet chamber, a pressure relief space, and a connection connecting the outlet chamber to the pressure relief space. An outlet valve is located within the connection connecting the outlet chamber to the pressure relief space. A piston which actuates opening and closing of the outlet is subjected to pressure contained in a control chamber. This pressure urges the outlet valve into an open position. The gas dryer also has an auxiliary valve system which is located between the control chamber and the pressure relief space. The auxiliary valve system controls the flow of the pressure medium between the control chamber and the relief space.

Abstract: When drying a paper web (4) in a dryer section (1) of a paper machine provided with drying cylinders (2, 3) and drying wires (5, 6), shrinkage of the paper web in cross direction is counteracted by applying forces at its edge portions (11). According to the invention partial vacuum is maintained along the edge portions of the web within substantially the entire free draw (10) and is applied from the side of the drying wire (5, 6) facing away from the web (4) so that the web is sucked firmly against the drying wire by forces greater than the contracting forces acting in cross direction, thereby counteracting shrinking, said partial vacuum being set within the interval 0.1-0.8 bar, preferably 0.2-0.5 bar.

Abstract: A drying section for a paper making machine includes a larger number of dryer sections, fewer dryers in each dryer section, and provisions for driving many of the dryers individually. The average number of dryers per dryer section is less than five and preferably less than four. By providing a small number of dryers per dryer section and driving many of the dryers individually, it is possible to more precisely compensate for stretching of the paper web in the initial stages of the drying process and to more precisely compensate for shrinkage of the paper web during the latter stages of the drying process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying protective suits, for which the suit is put over a supporting framework, which consists of tubes and reaches into all extremities of the suit, the tubes having outlet openings at their ends for warm air that has been blown in. The supporting framework 1; 101 is formed by tubular hoops 2, 3, 4, 5; 102, 103, 104, 105; 102', 103', 104', 105' which, in the area of the feet and hands of the protective suit, have bends 6, 7, 8, 9; 106, 107, 108, 109; 106', 107', 108', 109', in which the outlet openings 21; 121 for the drying air are disposed. An additional connecting piece 124; 124', which optionally can be shut off, is provided at the common manifold 18, 118, 118' for supplying detergents and disinfectants, it being possible preferably to shut off the drying air line before the connecting piece 124 also by means of a valve 125.

Abstract: A method and device for drying a paper web in a dryer section having a number of successive dryer groups with a single-wire draw, and being situated after a press section of the paper machine. Each dryer group includes contact-drying cylinders arranged in a first row and reversing suction cylinders or equivalent suction rolls arranged in a second row, the rows being horizontal, diagonal or vertical rows. The paper web is dried by contact-drying cylinders from the side of its lower face across the entire length of the dryer section. The paper web is passed as a closed draw from one dryer group to the next group, and the paper web is guided, while it runs on the drying wire at the side of the outside curve, by the reversing suction cylinders having a curve radius selected in a range from about 250 mm to about 1000 mm.